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(N-0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet -1. A. & E. RAFPOUR. MACHINE FOR TAPPING WATER M INS. Patented Nov. 8,;1887.

ALPHOIYSE RBI-FOUR EMILE RAF/7211B (No Model.) v v I 2Sheets-Sheet 2. A. & E. RAFPOUR.

MAGHINE FOR TAPPING WATER MAINS. 1%. 372,929. Patented Nov. 8, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.-

ALPHONSE RAFFOUR AND EMILE RAFFOUR, OF BESANQON, FRANCE.

MACHINE FOR TAPPING WATER-MAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,929, dated November 8, 1887. Application filed December 31, 1884. Serial No. 151,673. (No model.) Patented in France May 25, 1884, No. 162,366.

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALPHoNsE RAFFOUR and EMILE RAFFOUR, citizens of theRepublio of France, residing at Besancon, in France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Tapping Water- Mains, (for which a patent dated May 25, 1884, and numbered 162,366 was granted to us in France,) of which invention the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The invention relates to an improved attachment for mains, whereby the main can be tapped while under pressure and waste of water be prevented.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a water-main and our attachment. Fig. 2 isa vertical section of the valve-chamber and the valve mechanism. Fig. ,3 is a plan view, partly in section, of the valve-chamber,

the lid being removed. Fig. 4 shows the drilling mechanism and the manner in which the main is tapped. Fig. 5 shows an air-reservoir in section, the use of which will be hereinafter explained; and Fig. Gis aview, partly in section, showing the manner of attaching our device to the main.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

A is the main, and B is the valve-chamber.

C is a pipe, which may be cast integral with the valve-chamber, or be secured to it in any suitable manner, and which communicates with the interior of the valve-chamber by The passage 1) extends to and has an opening in the top of the valve-chamber B, for the purpose hereinafter described. The bore of the pipe 0 is of a different diameter at each end, that at the end 0 being the smaller, and the portion of the pipe 0 where the two bores meet is curved,

as shown at c. The end 0 of thepipe O is provided with a curved enlargement, E, adapted to fit against the main, the curvature of which can be varied to suit mains of different sizes.

. This enlargementis provided at each end with lugs e, which have holes adapted to receive the ends of the strap F, the ends being threaded to receive the nuts f. Asuitable packing, e, is interposed between the main and the curved part Eto makea tightjoint. The end 0 of the pipeG is provided with afiange, c, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The valve-chamber B is provided with an outlet-pipe, D, which can be opened or closed by means of the valve (1, which is secured to one end of a bent arm or lever, d, the lever being pivoted at its bend 011 a pin, d which passes through the wall'of the chamber B.

G is a rod having at its lower end an arm, 9, which engages with the bent arm or lever d. The rod G is provided with a shoulder, g, and passes through the invertedcupshaped portion 11 of the lid B. The inverted-cupshaped .portion of the lid is provided with a bushing, H, and suitable packing, 71, through which the rod G passes, the shoulder g'having an upward bearing against the bushing H, a washer, it, being interposed between them. The upper end of the rod G is made square to receive the key by which the rod G is turned to operate the valve (1.

It will be seen that by turning the rod G the arm 9 will depress one or the other ends of the bent arm or lever d,thus opening or closing the outlet-pipe D. This outlet-pipe D extends beyond the wall of the chamber B, and'is provided with a flange, 01 to which may be attached a distributing-pipe in any wellknown manner.

To the under side of the valve (Z is secured a wire, i, which passes through a circular apertu re, t", in thelower part of the pipeD, and is provided at its outer end with a spherical valve, I. The aperture t" is countersunk in order to allow the valve Ito fit in. The length of the wire 42 is such that when the valve (2 is raised the aperture t" will be closed, and vice versa. By this arrangement when the valve d is closed,any water remaining in the pipe D will escape through the aperture '6 and so prevent the appliance being injured by frost.

Ve will now describe the drillingapparatus.

T is a head or cross piecehaving at its cen ter a tapped hole to receive the feed screw P. To each end of the cross-piece T is hinged an arm, J, the freeends of which are bent inwardly toward each other and are provided flange c. The arms can be held together in engagement with the pipe 0 by any suitable means. in is the drill-stock which fits loosely in the pipe O, and has its end an squared off, so that a ratehet-and-pawl mechanism can be slipped on to rotate it.

M is a bushing or sleeve inclosing a cupleather, m, which surrounds the drill-stock and allows the latter to rotate, but prevents waste of water. This bushing is secured to the flange c of the pipe 0 by means of screws, a washer, in, being interposed to make atight joint.

K is a ball, to be used as hereinafter de scribed.

The operation of the device is as follows: The pipe 0, and with it the various parts attached to it, is first securely connected to the main by means of the collar or strap E, as hereinbefore stated, the pipe 0 being in a horizontal plane. The drill-stock is then inserted in the pipe 0, and the bushing M and the arms J being secured in their relative positions, the feed-screw P will hold the cutting tool in contact with the main A. The ball K is put in the passage 2), and the top orifice of said pas sage is closed by a cap, 11". The ball K will now rest on the drill-stock m. As soon as the hole is drilledv in the main, the drillstock is withdrawn and the ball K will fall from'the passage b into the pipe 0, when the force of the water will drive it back into the curved portion a of the bore andcfiectually close the pipe 0 at its end 0. The water will then on ter the waive-chamber, and can be admitted to the outletpipe D at will. To prevent injury by the shock of the water, which a ram action would produce when the valve opens too suddenly, an vairrcceiver, Fig. 5, is provided between the main and the valve. In

this receiver the air is imprisoned in an indiarubber ball, so as to preserve it from contact with the liquid, and thus prevent its absorption.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim is 1. The combination, with the main A, of the valve-chamber 13, having the passages b b, the pipe 0, the bore of which is of different diameters at each end, and the ball K, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with the main A, of the pipe 0, valve-chamber B, communicating with said pipe, outlet-pipe D, leading from said valve-chamber, and the valve d, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3.- In a valved connection for water-mains, thc-eombination, with the valve-chamber and an outletpipe, of a valve for controlling communication between the two, said valve can rying a spherical valve adapted to open or close an orifice in the bottom of said outletpipe, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, with a water-main and a valved connection, of an air-receiver containing an india-rubber ball filled with air, so as to avoid ram-strokes and to prevent the escape of theair from the receiver, substantially as described. 4

5. In a device for tapping watermains, the combination, with the main, a pipe firmly secured to the main, the bore of said pipe being of a difi'erent diameter at each end, and a valveehamber attached to and communicating with said pipe, of a drill-stock carrying a drillingtool inserted in said pipe, suitable mechanism for holding the drilling-tool in engagement with the main, means for rotating said drillstock, and a ball inserted in the passage which communicates with the pipe and valve-chamber, said ball resting on the drill-stock while the hole is being drilled in the main, and falling into the pipe on the withdrawal of the drillstock, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ALPHONSE RAI FOUR. EMILE RAFFOUR.

Vitnesses:

ADOLPIIE BOEITTCIIER,

(012T. M. Hooran. 

